Oh, Christine. I am so sorry to read about this. I was so hopeful to open this thread and see that Mick just had a nasty infection that would be cleared up with antibiotics. I am just heart broken for you and Mick.

Hugs prayers and a ton of well wishes to you. I hate the 'c' word, but at least he has a highly treatable form

Hang in there and make each day a good one!

Patch O' Pits Pursuit-O-Perfection

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg

Christine, I haven't been here for very long (especially not comparatively) but your kind words and positive outlook have touched me every time I visit.

I shed tears over reading about "Mick's gifts", because love like that, from anyone (four legged or two) is special. You two have both reached me in the best way, and I wish only the best for you both, from the very bottom of the deepest corner of my heart.

Mick's been your guardian angel since the beginning, and you're his now.

Everyone here at PBT is for both of you.

I don't know what I could contribute, (other than a sardonic outlook on pretty much EVERYTHING) but give me a task, and I'm on it.

Anything myself or Funny Bunny can do for you, you let us know. I'd be pleased.

I am so very sorry to hear this...I'm just sitting here sniffling and wishing I could be there to help.

Stay strong for that big lug...and do whatever you have to do.

My mutt got the same thing...I didn't get treatment, and he had 4 weeks from diagnosis. But you know, they were a great four weeks...he got to do whatever he wanted...all his favorite things up until the day he died...flyball, sunbathing, eating whatever he wanted (including CHOCOLATE)...and being a butthead (which was his favorite thing). So no matter what...at least you know he's got a short time on this earth...so you can spoil him rotten...no matter when he goes.

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw

God Almighty... I'm not READY for this.
I don't want to spoil him for four weeks and then lose him... how does one deal w/something like that???

Cinder... our oncologist read the slides in her office and saw some abnormalities that are not common in B-cell lymphoma, so she is assuming it's T-cell. We'll know for certain in a few days, because they do some sort of DNA testing to be sure.
There are different treatments for both forms, but we started chemo so he won't choke to death in the meantime... and you are right - his neck looks much better right now and he is breathing okay.
She also thinks that the cancer has already spread to his stomach... and ALL the nodes on his body are enlarged and visible... so that's definitely not a good sign.

I can't believe it all just sort of "exploded" overnight... our vet says she has NEVER seen it happen this fast and in ALL the lymph nodes at once at that rate.
Surgery isn't even a remote option at this point...

Mick was sooo good at the oncologist... she didn't want to sedate him for a second time in one day, and we had him muzzled and "pinned", but he was a trooper and actually let her check his neck, take blood and administer his shot without losing his mind... or anyone losing a finger.

Mick doesn't want to eat and he's drinking a LOT of water because of the Prednisone... I hope he gets his appetite back by tomorrow.

Thanks, you guys, for all the hugs and good thoughts... and the ribbons! They actually made me smile after a long, frustrating, rotten day.

I also appreciate all the offers of help... unfortunately this isn't something any of you can "fix" and I feel just as helpless as the rest of you.

My poor guy was HOWLING when he woke up earlier and didn't see me right away... he scared the crap out of me... but I know how he feels. I want to howl myself...

Cinder... our oncologist read the slides in her office and saw some abnormalities that are not common in B-cell lymphoma, so she is assuming it's T-cell. We'll know for certain in a few days, because they do some sort of DNA testing to be sure.There are different treatments for both forms, but we started chemo so he won't choke to death in the meantime... and you are right - his neck looks much better right now and he is breathing okay.She also thinks that the cancer has already spread to his stomach... and ALL the nodes on his body are enlarged and visible... so that's definitely not a good sign.

Ok, I see. They sent Kato's out to confirm the B-cell diagnosis too. Maybe Mick's will come back as B-cell...we can hope for that.

I'm so glad his neck is better! Kate's nodes were all really large and swollen and it happened literally overnight as well. I just want you to have hope because Kate is really, really doing well!

There was no way I could accept losing my heart dog in 4 weeks either. It doesn't have to happen. I'm grateful every day that I was able to do chemo.

Christine - I'm so so sorry. I don't even have words to express it. I know how much you love Mick and know how much I love King I can't even imagine - don't WANT to imagine - how you feel. I'm sending you thoughts and prayers and lots of love.

Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help you. Do you have insurance for him? Is there anything you need for him?